CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns announced Wednesday a two-year plan to deliver $120 million in upgrades to the "fan experience" at the city-owned FirstEnergy Stadium –- including a new scoreboard, audio equipment and physical changes that would allow fans to move about more freely.

But who will foot the bill for the improvements is yet to be answered, as Cuyahoga County’s “sin tax” on alcohol and cigarette sales, which has paid for stadium upkeep for decades, expires in 2015.

Browns CEO Joe Banner declined to discuss financing during a news conference Wednesday afternoon, revealing only that the organization has acquired what amounts to a loan from the NFL that could cover about half of the expense.

In a written statement, Mayor Frank Jackson said that he supports the improvements and that the plan “meets structural requirements and will enhance the fan experience here in Cleveland.” Details for financing the project, however, are still in discussion, Jackson wrote.

The upgrades would take two off-seasons to complete, Banner said.

In the first year, the Browns would install two high-definition scoreboards that are nearly triple the size of those currently in the stadium. The proposal also calls for LED video boards, which would show stats, scores and other information. A new audio system will replace the original one, promising to deliver dramatically improved sound stadium-wide.

The stadium would lose about 3,000 seats to make way for the giant scoreboard – dropping capacity to about 68,000, Banner said. But about 2,000 upper-bowl seats will move to the lower deck, giving more fans a chance to sit closer to the action, he said. The historic Dawg Pound fan section in the lower bowl will remain as it always has, though a handful of seats considered part of the upper Dawg Pound will be lost.

Fans also will see two new escalators installed by next season, improving access to upper levels.

In 2015, the Browns plan on improving general-admission concession areas, with locally-based offerings. So-called “premium areas” of the stadium would see upgrades, as well, including refurbished club seats and suites and more top-level entertainment.

Browns President Alec Scheiner promised fans during the news conference that the organization continues to explore ways to improve cell phone reception and wireless connectivity within the facility. Throughout the stadium, fans will see dramatic graphics honoring Browns history and current players.

“We talked since Day 1 that we had two goals,” Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said at the news conference. “To win games consistently and to give our fans the best possible experience. … It's all part of creating a world-class organization. It starts with people and goes to facilities. We're giving our fans a great place to watch football.”

Banner, while declining multiple times to address questions regarding financing, implied that the cost of improvements would not directly affect ticket prices.

“We review ticket prices at the end of every season,” Banner said. “That question is not linked to the investment we've made in this project.”

The team is due before the Design Review Committee of the city’s Planning Commission on Thursday morning, with a full Planning Commission hearing set for the following day. The Browns hope to begin work on the stadium as soon as the season concludes.

Banner said that all financing questions will be answered in due time, as the Browns continue talks with Jackson and meet with City Council.

City Councilman Jeffrey Johnson said in an interview Wednesday that it would be unfair to ask Clevelanders to pay for the renovations when fans throughout the region use the stadium. He said the city does not have the money for the proposed luxury upgrades and should instead prioritize spending on street repair and city services.

“The sin tax went toward establishing the infrastructure and keeping it safe and secure,” Johnson said. “This is different. This is about who can have the biggest scoreboard and bragging rights. And the ownership is just trying to create a stadium that they can show off and enhance their reputation without really enhancing the benefit to the average citizen.”

Councilman Michael Polensek agreed and said he would vote against the city chipping in to pay for the renovation. He pointed out that $120 million could hire more than 1,000 police officers or ameliorate the city’s entire abandoned housing problem.

“I’m weighing the glitz and glamor and the hype associated with sports teams against the reality of life,” Polensek said. “The majority of my citizens can’t even afford to go to a game. And you want me to go back and ask them to dig into their pockets and ante up for the Cleveland Browns? I’m looking to Jimmy Haslam and his folks to have a civic soul. Corporate leadership must try to understand our plight, and so often they fail to do that.”

The Browns’ lease calls for the city to contribute $850,000 a year to the repair budget for the stadium. The money comes from the countywide “sin tax,” which will expire unless voters approve an extension. It is yet to be determined whether the Cuyahoga County Council will submit a ballot issue to renew the tax.

The city is obligated to cover the expense of all emergency fixes or repairs of the stadium’s roof, foundation, structure or utilities, whether or not the money is within the repair budget. When it comes to capital improvements –- defined as modifications and amenities that would rank the facility among the top NFL stadiums -- the lease only requires the city to pick up the tab if the money is available.

Last year, repairs to the stadium totaled about $5.8 million, and included refurbishing seats and replacing ramps, bridges and other concrete. Jackson's Chief of Staff Ken Silliman said in September that picking up that expense allowed the city to forgo its contribution to the repair fund for about seven years.

If the city cannot afford the improvements that the Browns propose, Silliman said, the team is free to pay for them.

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